Northshore Kiwanis plan May 16 open house for prospective members

"If we can’t have fun while helping out..., then it’s probably something we shouldn’t be involved in," President Steve Jacobs said.

The Kiwanis Club of Northshore Mandeville is opening the door to welcome new members. The nonprofit, volunteer organization will host a Northshore Kiwanis Open House in conjunction with Kiwanis Membership Month. The open house breakfast will be held May 16 at 7:15 a.m. at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, located at 4375 Highway 22 in Mandeville.

Northshore Kiwanis website

“The Northshore Kiwanis Club is a group of community service-minded individuals that focus on helping children,” said Steve Jacobs, president. “Our club is made up of both men and women ages 21 and up and requires no certain amount of involvement other than a love for helping children and our community. Our service projects range from food drives to help The Samaritan Center and Covington Food Bank to our Pancake Breakfast with Santa.”

“The Kiwanis/STARC Car Show was held in April to benefit STARC and our Kiwanis Golf Tournament on May 13 will help to provide college scholarship money to deserving high-school senior Key Club members,” he said. “We currently sponsor 14 different school clubs in our area which include Key Clubs, Builder’s Clubs, Aktion Club and K-Kids.”

Northshore Kiwanis has 110 members and is hosting the open house to attract additional new members.

“This is our largest membership drive of the year, last year gaining an additional 17 members,” Jacobs said. “The one thing I have stressed this year is, ‘If we can’t have fun while helping out on any service project, then it’s probably something we shouldn’t be involved in.’ We really have become one big family enjoying each others company before, during and after many service projects.”

“We don’t require any amount of time or effort from any of our members,” he said. “We understand everybody is busy and just encourage every member to help out when they can. I would encourage anybody interested to just come to one meeting and they will feel the energy and friendship our club exudes.”

The group is involved with local projects such as the Kid’s Konnection Playground, Coats for Kids, the Children’s Museum Project, School Map Painting, HOYST (Homeless Outreach for Youth in St. Tammany), Highway 22 Cleanup, an annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Pancakes with Santa breakfast, the Nicaragua Children’s Dental Ministry, the annual golf tournament, annual scholarship awards, the 5Kiwanis for Kids and Fun Run and the Habitat Restore.

“Service is at the heart of every Kiwanis club, no matter where in the world it’s located,” Jacobs said. “In the Northshore Kiwanis Club, members express themselves through youth and community services. Our motto and the cornerstone of Kiwanis is ‘We Build.’”

Dues for membership in Norshore Kiwanis are $45 per quarter. It is not necessary to be invited by a current member to attend the open house or a meeting. The group meets each Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at New Covenant Presbyterian Church. For information about membership, contact membership chairman Guy Guinot at 624.5655, or email him at guy.guinot@lpl.com, or visit the website at www.northshore-kiwanis.org.